Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy Strengthens Market Position Through Expanded Limited Distribution Network

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08/19/2025 - 09:00 AM

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy network grows manufacturer relationships in limited distribution drug space

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy has expanded its limited distribution drug (LDD) network to now include 265 products, placing it among the leading networks in specialty pharmacies. LDDs are specialty medications that are available through select specialty pharmacies chosen by the drug manufacturer and are often medications with complex regimens, high costs and/or require special handling. As the largest independent specialty pharmacy not directly affiliated with a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM), Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy is able to collaborate with any partner.

“As the limited distribution drug network continues to grow, our specialty pharmacy teams across the country are equipped to support manufacturers in getting their medications to patients who need it most,” said Tracey James, RPh, chief operating officer, Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy. “Our independence allows us to work with any payers, pharmaceutical companies, providers and other care partners.”

Specialty pharmacy is one of the fastest-growing segments in healthcare, with specialty drugs now representing about 75% of the new drugs in development. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy understands the complexities that come with novel specialty medications, so it has a team of specialty pharmacists, nurses, patient advocates, insurance specialists and other experts that are specifically trained to support patients with their unique health conditions.

Limited distribution drugs that were added to the Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy network in 2025 include, but is not limited to:

Yeztugo (lenacapavir), manufactured by Gilead, is the first and only FDA-approved twice-yearly option for HIV prevention as of August 2025.
Nemluvio (nemolizumab), manufactured by Galderma, is approved for the treatment of patients 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in combination with topical corticosteroids and/or calcineurin inhibitors when the disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies. It is also approved to treat adults with prurigo nodularis.
Imkeldi (imatinib), manufactured by Shorla Oncology, is approved to treat certain forms of leukemia and other cancers.

For full prescribing information on these drugs, visit their manufacturer’s websites or dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.

About Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy holds several national pharmacy accreditations and services are offered to nearly 300 million covered lives across the country. At Walgreens, the term “specialty” covers services and medications for patients with rare, complex and chronic diseases like cancer, cystic fibrosis and Crohn’s disease, who often require additional support from their healthcare providers. Walgreens specialty pharmacists have additional training to better understand these specialty medications which have unique storage, temperature, and handling requirements; are given by infusion, injection or taken orally; and require close patient monitoring and ongoing clinical support. They also help patients find affordable access to high-cost medications, help with adherence barriers and support patients throughout their treatment.

About Walgreens

Founded in 1901, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) has a storied heritage of caring for communities for generations, and proudly serves nearly 9 million customers and patients each day across its approximately 8,500 stores throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and leading omni-channel platforms. Walgreens has approximately 220,000 team members, including nearly 90,000 healthcare service providers, and is committed to being the first choice for retail pharmacy and health services, building trusted relationships that create healthier futures for customers, patients, team members and communities.

Walgreens retail locations are a critical point of access and convenience in thousands of communities, with Walgreens pharmacists playing a greater role as part of the healthcare system and patients’ care teams than ever before. Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy provides critical care and pharmacy services to millions of patients with rare disease states and complex, chronic conditions.